How to Hide or Show Network Icon in Windows 11 File Explorer

This guide explains how to add or remove the Network icon from the sidebar in File Explorer on Windows 11.

Why hide the Network icon?

Windows 11 puts the Network icon in your File Explorer sidebar by default. This lets you quickly browse your local network locations. You might want to hide it if you prefer a cleaner look or if you rarely connect to other devices on your home or office network.

What happens when you are done?

Once you finish these steps, the Network icon will disappear from your File Explorer sidebar. Keep in mind that if you have “Show all folders” turned on, the icon might still appear. Also, you may still see it in certain “Open As” dialog boxes.

The Network icon helps you see your local network, Network Discovery, and other connected devices like mapped network locations.

How to show or hide the Network icon

You can manage this icon using the File Explorer settings.

1. Open File Explorer opens by pressing the Windows Key + E.
2. Right-click in the empty space below the Network icon in the left sidebar.
3. Select Show Network to either hide or show it.

Alternatively, you can use the File Explorer Options menu:

1. Click the three-dot menu icon (ellipse) at the top of the File Explorer window.
2. Select Options.

1. On the Folder Options window, click the View tab.
2. Look for the setting that says Show Network.
3. Check or uncheck the box to show or hide the icon.
4. Click OK to save your changes.

Note: These steps do not require admin privileges.

Summary

The Network icon is a built-in tool that makes finding devices on your local network easy. If you do not use this feature often, you can remove it from your sidebar by right-clicking the navigation pane or by adjusting the settings in the File Explorer Options menu. Remember that other system settings or dialog boxes may still show the network location even after you hide it from the sidebar.